Motor-starting mechanism.



W. P. RUDMN.

MOTOR STARTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATlON FILED JUNE 2, 1914.

Patented. Apr. 13, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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u-fl a a] rHE NORRIS PETERS 420., PHOTG-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. u. 04

W. P. RUDMN.

MOTOR STARTING MECHANISM.

AFPLICATEON FILED JUNE 2, WM.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHBET 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. FHOTO-L!THO.. WASHINGTUN. D. 1

aforesaid being es FATlElhl Flfit WILLIAM P. RUDKIN, 0F BRITTON,OKLAHOMA.

MOTOR-STARTING MECHANISM.

Application filed June 2, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM P. RUDKIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Britton, in the county of Oklahoma and State of Oklahoma,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motor- StartingMechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

The main object of the present invention is to provide primarilystarting mechanism for engines and means in combination therewith formaintaining such mechanism operative at all times, the said means beingsubject to automatic control when a predetermined abnormal condition isreached, both the starting mechanism and the means independentlyoperable through a common controlling member.

More specifically speaking, I contemplate using in combination with theprimary motor of an engine of the explosive type illustrated, anauxiliary motor adapted to be operated by fluid pressure for impartingmotion to the primary motor and a com pressor for supplying thenecessary reserve pressure for the auxiliary motor, clutch mechanismsbeing interposed between these power devices and operable by a commoncontrolling lever, the shifting of which causes the application of powerto the engine or the actuation of the compressor according to whetherthe fluid pressure is abnormal and whether such pressure is desired forpower purposes.

To this end the invention consists of an auxiliary air motor adapted tobe actuated by air pressure from a suitable reservoir and to transmitmotion to the engine shaft to which it is operably connected through aclutch, an air pump or compressor, for maintaining pressure in thereservoir at pro-per maximum and which is adapted to be actuated by theengine or more strictly speaking its shaft to which it is also operablyconnected through a clutch, and a clutch lever connecting the twoclutches aforesaid mounted so as to be capable of shifting by means of acontrolling lever so as to engage either of the clutches.

In addition to the foregoing, the clutch lever is provided with specialrestraining means whereby when said lever is in a predetermined positionto prevent the engage ment of both clutches at one time when one only isrequired for the work to be performed, said restraining means being ren-Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

Serial No. 842,540.

dered inoperative to act upon the clutch lever by operation of thecontrolling lever so as to cause simultaneous disengagement of saidclutches.

These and such other objects as may hereinafter appear are attained bythe novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts to behereinafter specifically described and claimed.

Reference will now be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation of an embodiment of my invention shown inoperative relation to an internal combustion engine. Fig. 2 is avertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.. Fig. 3 is a verticalsectional View of my apparatus alone. Fig. 4. is a vertical sectionalview on the line t-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail fragmentary view,partly in section and showing more clearly the arrangement of the clutchlever used in my apparatus. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of thevalve for the distribution of the air pressure. Fig. 7 is an enlargedperspective view of the supporting member for the clutch lever. Fig. 8is a vertical sectional view on the line 88 of Fig. 5; and Fig. 9 is asimilar View on the line 9-9 of Fig. 5.

Throughout the following detail description, and on the several figuresof the drawings, similar parts are referred to by like referencecharacters.

Specifically describing the, mechanism comprising my invention andreferring to the drawings the letter A designates an engine of theinternal combustion type and adapted to be operated by the conventionalignition systems well known in this art, said engine being provided withthe usual main shaft B and fly-wheel C.

The starting mechanism which forms the subject-matter of my inventionconsists essentially of a starting motor 1 disposed at a convenientpoint in advance of the engine A and consisting of a piston 2, theconnect ing rod 3 and its crank shaft l. This motor, as will be clear tothose skilled in the art to which this invention relates constitutes anauxiliary power device and is adapted to be actuated by fluid pressuresupplied from a storage reservoir or tank 5 communicating through theconduit 6 with a conventional type of valve chest 7. The valve of saidchest is of the usual sliding type and connected to the eccentric 8 onthe crank shaft 4 through the rod 9. The auxiliary motor 1 is adapted tocommunicate motion to the engine shaft B and for this purpose said shaftor the fly-wheel C is connected to the crank shaft 4 by means ofgearing. As illus trated, this gearing consists of the large gear 10secured to the main engine shaft B and the intermeshing pinion 11 on theinner extremity of the crank shaft 4 of the auxiliary motor. This pinionis formed at one end of a sliding sleeve 12 and said sleeve alsoincludes a clutch element 13 while the cooperatng clutch element 14 isfixedly carried by the crank shaft 1.

In order to supply fluid pressure to the storage tank 5 I employ asuitable air pump or compressor 15 mounted upon the auxiliary motor 1 bymeans of the bracket 16 and the plunger 17 of this pump is connected toa crank shaft 18 by means of the connecting rod 19. As shown mostclearly in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the crank shaft 18 isdisposed, at a convenient point above the fly-wheel C and has slidablymounted thereupon a pinion 20 carried by a sleeve 21 which also includesa clutch element 22 for cooperation with a corresponding clutch element23 fixedly secured to the crank shaft 18.

. Disposed vertically intermediate the auxiliary motor 1 and thefly-wheel C is a clutch lever 2 1 having connection at its opposite endswith the shiftable sleeves 21 and 12, such lever in this manner being acommon controlling means for both the pump clutch and theauxiliary'motor clutch. The clutch lever 24: as more clearly shown inFig. 5 is pivotally connected with a supporting bracket 25 projectingrear-wardly from the auxiliary motor and as shown in Fig. 7 this bracketis formed with longitudinal lateral slots 26 into which opposingtrunnions 27 of the clutch lever project, while said lever itselfextends through the vertical longitudinal slot 28 of said bracket. Thisparticular disposition of the clutch lever, it will be obvious, permitsof its pivotal movement in the bracket as well as longitudinal movementtherealong for reasons to be more clearly set forth hereinafter. Thebracket 25, furthermore, is T-shaped in conformation, having abutmentarms for the lever designated 29. The lever 24 is connected by means ofthe rod 30 to a controlling lever 31 arranged at a point convenient tothe operator of the device, said controlling lever being pivotallymounted at 32 and provided with a locking segment of the conventionaltype 33. As will be apparent movement of the controlling lever 31 forwardly or rearwardly will shift the clutch lever 21 on its support so asto enable the engagement and disengagement of the clutch mechanisms forthe auxiliary motor and the compressor in a manner now to be moreclearly described.

As will be noted by reference to Figs. 1, 3 and 5, the clutch lever 21has connected thereto, below its pivot, one end of a spring 3 1, theother end of said spring being suitably secured to the adjacent motorpart in front of the lever. Above the pivot of the clutch lever isarranged a pressure governor 35, the piston plunger 36 of which isconnected to said lever at 37, and a spring 35 is interposed between thepiston 38 and the casing 39 of the governor 35 which normally exerts apressure against said piston tending to pull the clutch lever 2-1forwardly on its pivot, and moreover the casing 39 of the pressuregovernor 35 cominunicates with the storage tank 5 through the conduit 10so that so long as pressure exists in the tank the equivalent pressureis exerted against the piston 88 of the governor tending to hold saidpiston against the pressure of the spring 35. It is to be also borne inmind that the spring 35 is much stronger than the spring 3-1 connectedto the clutch lever below its pivot.

As will be noted in Fig. 1 the pressure tank 5 is provided with a gage11, and I preferably employ with this apparatus a valve distribu 12which in this instance is a three-way valve as most clearly shown inFig. 6. The purpose of the valve as inferred is three-fold and designedto permit of the utilization of the pressure from the tank 5 for variouspurposes such as the inflation of a tire 13 through the conduit 11, thesounding of the horn -15 connected to said valve through the conduit 16and it will be obvious that any further application of this pressure isdependent only upon the construction of the valve openings by means ofwhich the pressure is communicated to distributing conduits. The mainfunction of the valve, however, is to admit pressure from the tank tothe valve chest 7 through the conduit 17 whereby to actuate theauxiliary motor 1 of this starting mechanism.

Assuming, in describing the use and operation of this invention, thatthere is no pressure existent in the storage tank 5, as for instance,when the starting mechanism is applied initially to the engine, movementof the controlling lever 31 forwardly into the dotted line positiondesignated D will pull the clutch lever along its supporting bracketuntil its opposing arms abut against the abutment arms 29 of the bracket25, in which position the clutch mechanisms for the pump and the motorare disengaged.

The engine may then be started by its manual cranking means with whichthey are usually provided but which are omitted from the drawing.

The engine A having been started the controlling lever 31 is unlockedand moved rearwardly, shifting the clutch lever 24 forwardly away fromits abutments so as to enable the pivotal movement of said clutch lever,and by reason of the greater strength of the spring 35 in the pressuregovernor 35 the upper end of the clutch lever 24 is moved forwardlyuntil the clutch for the pump 15 is engaged, the lower end of the clutchlever preventing engagement. of the clutch for the auxiliary motor,since the spring Sl is not of sufiicient strength to counteract thepressure of the spring 35 as above mentioned. In this manner the fluidpressure is supplied to the tank 5 by the pump 15 through the conduit 40which, is provided with a check-valve 40 adjacent the pump. When thepressure in the tank has reached a predetermined amount, acting upon thepiston 38 of the governor, the air pressure will cause the upper end ofthe clutch lever to be moved rearwardly through the piston plunger 36connected thereto and thereby disengage the pump clutch. From now on theoperation of the engine may be considered to be automatic for with thecontrolling lever 31 at a position such as just described, the pumpclutch will be thrown into engagement so as to communicate power fromthe main shaft to the pump whenever the pressure in the tank falls belowa predetermined amount and such clutch is held out of operativeengagement through the pressure governor 35 whenever the pressure is atmaximum.

Starting of the engine A after the tank 5 has been charged isaccomplished in the following manner: The valve 42 is moved to place thepressure of the tank 5 into communication with the motor 1 through theconduit 47 and the valve chest 7. The lever 31 is moved to a position,such as D of Fig. 1, which immediately throws in the motor clutch whilethe pump clutch is held out of engagement by the governor 35 ashereinbefore described. Motion having been communicated by the auxiliarymotor 1 to the engine shaft B through the gearing 11 and 10, the lever31 is then moved in an oppo site direction to that just mentioned untilthe clutch is disengaged.

In the event the pressure in the supply tank 5 should become reducedbelow the pre determined point hereinbefore mentioned, the lever 31being in locked position, and the pressure governor 35 permits themovement of the clutch lever 24 to cause engagement of the pump clutch,during the engagement of the auxiliary motor clutch, 1 preferably employyielding means in the form of a spring 48 interposed in the length ofthe rod 30 so as to permit movement of the upper end of the clutch lever24 when the pressure in the governor 35 becomes sufficiently strong tocause such movement.

Breakage of these parts is thus prevented and the necessity of manualmovement of the lever 81 eliminated.

It will be perfectly obvious that changes in the construction andarrangement of parts may be readily made without departing from thespirit of the invention and within the scope of the claims heretoappended.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new is:

1. The combination with a primary motor including a main shaft therefor,of a starting mechanism comprising a fluid pressure auxiliary motor,means for supplying fluid pressure for said auxiliary motor, i11-dependent clutch mechanisms intermediate the auxiliary motor and theshaft, the pressure supply means and said shaft, and a commoncontrolling member for said clutch mechanisms, whereby to permit ofindependent actuation of the shaft by the auxiliary motor to start theprimary motor and actuation of the pressure supply means from saidshaft.

2. The combination with a primary motor including a main shaft therefor,of a starting mechanism comprising a fluid pressure auxiliary motor,means for supplying fluid pressure for said auxiliary motor, clutchmechanisms intermediate the auxiliary motor and the shaft, the pressuresupply means and said shaft, means connecting the clutch mechanism forthe pressure supply means with the clutch mechanism of the auxiliarymotor, anda controlling member for operating the connecting means toengage and disengage the clutch mechanisms independently of each other.

3. The combination with a primary motor including a main shaft therefor,of a starting mechanism comprising a fluid pressure auxiliary motor,means for supplying fluid pressure for said auxiliary motor, clutchmechanisms intermediate the auxiliary motor and the shaft, the pressuresupply means and said shaft, and a controlling member for disengagingone or the other of said clutch mechanisms and maintaining both of saidmechanisms out of engaging relations.

The combination with a primary motor including a main shaft therefor, ofa starting motor, connecting means intermediate the starting motor andthe main shaft operable to transmit motion to the latter to start theprimary motor, a fluid pressure supply for actuating said startingmotor, manually operable means for operating the connecting meansaforesaid, a pump for said pressure supply adapted for operableconnection to the main shaft and controlled by the manual meansaforesaid, and automatic means connected to the manual means forcontrolling engagement of the pump.

5. The combination with a primary motor including a main shafttherefor,of a starting motor, connecting means intermediate the startingmotor and the main shaft operable to transmit motion to the latter tostart the primary motor, a fluid pressure supply for actuating saidstarting motor, manually operable means for operating the connectingmeans aforesaid a pump for said pressure supply adapted for operableconnection to the main shaft and controlled by the manual meansaforesaid, and means connected to the manual means for automaticallycausing disengagement of the'pump when the pres sure supply has reacheda predetermined amount.

6. The combination with a primary motor including a main shaft therefor,of a starting motor, means intermediate the starting motor and the shaftto communicate motion to the latter, a compressor for supplying pressurefor the starting motor, means intermediate the compressor and the shaftfor actuating the former, a common controlling member for both saidintermediate means,

and means for shifting said controlling means to permit of actuation ofthe shaft by the starting motor. or actuation of the compressor fromsaid shaft.

7. The combination with a primary motor including a main shaft therefor,of a starting motor, means intermediate the starting motor and the shaftto communicate motion to, thelatter, a compressor for supplying pressurefor the starting motor, means inter mediate the compressor and the shaftfor actuating the former, a common controlling member for both saidintermediate means, and means movable in one direction to shift thecontrolling means to provide engagement between the starting motor andthe shaft and in the other direction to provide disengagement betweenthese parts.

8. The combination with a primary motor including a main shaft therefor,of a starting motor, neans intermediate the startingmotor and the shaftto communicate motion to the latter, a compressor for supplying pressurefor the starting motor, means intermediate the compressor and the shaftfor actuating the former, a common controlling member for both saidintermediate means, means movable in one direction to shift thecontrolling means to provide engagement between the starting motor andthe shaft and in the other direction to provide disengagement betweenthese parts, a pressure governor connected to the controlling means andoperable by the pressure from the storage means to maintaindisengagement between the shaft and the compressor when the startingmotor is in driving engagement therewith.

9. The combination with a primary motor including a main shaft'therefor,of a starting motor, means intermediate the starting ing motor, meansintermediate the starting motor and the shaft to communicate motion tothe latter, a compressor for supplying pressure for the starting motor,means 111- termediate the compressor and the shaft for actuating theformer, a common controlling member for both said intern'iediate means,a pressure governor connected to the common controlling means toautomatically cause engagement between the shaft and the compressor uponreduction of pressure supplied thereby, and means for shifting thecontrolling means to lock said compressor out of engaging relation withthe shaft.

11. The combination with a primary motor including a main shafttherefor, of a starting motor, means intermediate the starting motor andthe shaft to communicate motion to the latter, a compressor forsupplying pressure for the starting motor, means intermediate thecompressor and the shaft for actuating the former, a common controllingmember for both said intermediate means, a pressure governor connectedto the common controlling means to automatically cause engagementbetween the shaft and the compressor upon reduction of pressure suppliedthereby, and means for shift ing the controlling means to simultaneouslylock said compressor and starting motor out of engaging relation withthe shaft.

12. The combination with a primary motor including a main shaft, of anauxiliary motor, gearing for connecting the auxiliary motor to theshaft, a clutch intermediate the gearing and auxiliary motor, an airpump, gearing arranged to transmit motion from the shaft to the pump, aclutch interposed between the gearing last-mentioned and the pump, and aclutch lever connecting the two clutches aforesaid and constituting acommon control for said clutches.

13. The combination with a. primary motor including a main shaft, of anauX- iliary motor, gearing for connecting the auxiliary motor to theshaft, a clutch intermediate the gearing and auxiliary motor, an airpump, gearing arranged to transmit motion from the shaft to the pump, aclutch interposed between the gearing last-mentioned and the pump, aclutch lever connecting the two clutches aforesaid and constituting acommon control for said clutches, and supporting means in which theclutch lever is pivotally mounted intermediate its length whereby topermit of engagement of either of the clutches.

l t. The combination with a primary motor including a main shaft, of anauxiliary motor, gearing for connecting the auxiliary motor to theshaft, a clutch intermediate the gearing and auxiliary motor, an airpump, gearing arranged to transmit motion from the shaft to the pump, aclutch interposed. between the gearing last-mentioned and the pump, aclutch lever connecting the two clutches aforesaid and constitutmg acommon control for said clutches, supporting means on which said clutchlever is pivotally mounted intermediate its length, said pivot beingshiftable on said supporting means, and means for shifting the pivot ofsaid lever.

15. The combination with a primary motor including a main shaft, of anauxiliary motor, gearing for connecting the auxiliary motor to theshaft, a clutch intermediate the gearing and auxiliary motor, an airpump, gearing arranged to transmit motion from the shaft to the pump, aclutch interposed between the gearing last-mentioned and the pump, aclutch lever connecting the two clutches aforesaid and constituting acommon control for said clutches, tension means connected to the clutchlever normally tending to cause engagement of the clutch intermediatethe auxiliary motor and the shaft, and other tension means connected tothe clutch lever and normally tending to prevent engagement of theclutch intermediate the pump and said shaft.

16. The combination with a primary motor including a main shaft, of anauxiliary motor, gearing for connecting the auxiliary motor to theshaft, a clutch intermediate the gearing and auxiliary motor, an airpump, gearing arranged to transmit motion from the shaft to the pump, aclutch interposed between the gearing last-mentioned and the pump, aclutch lever connecting the two clutches aforesaid and constituting acommon control for said clutches, tension means connected to the clutchlever normally tending to cause engagement of the clutch intermediatethe auxiliary motor and the shaft, other tension means connected to theclutch lever and normally tending to prevent engagement of the clutchintermediate the pump and said shaft, and means for locking the clutchlever in a position with the auxiliary motor clutch in engagement andfor shifting said lever to disengage the motor clutch and permitengagement of the pump clutch.

17. The combination with a primary motor, of a starting motor forimparting motion to the primary motor, a pressure supply means foractuating the auxiliary motor, comprising a storage tank, an air pumpadapted for actuation by the primary motor to supply pressure to saidtank, a common controlling member for connecting the auxiliary motorwith the primary motor or the primary motor with the pump, and apressure governor cooperating with the common controlling memberautomatically operable to maintain disengagement of the primary motorwith the pump when the pressure in the tank is at a predeterminedamount, and to permit engagement of the pump when the pressure decreasesbelow said predetermined point.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM P. RUDKIN.

Witnesses:

HALBERT J. FLOWERS, K. S. CARLIsLn.

tfoples of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

